Urmia or (Turkish Language: اورمو, Urmu, Orumiyeh, Urmiye) is a city in Northwestern South Azerbaijan (Iranian Azerbaijan) and the capital of West Azerbaijan Province. The city lies on an altitude of 1,330 m above sea level on the Shahar Chaye river (City River). Urmia is the 10th populated city in iran and 2nd of Azerbaijanian Turks provinces after Tabriz. Urmia is the trade center for a fertile agricultural region where fruit (Specially Apple and Grape) and Tobacco are grown.An important town by the 9th cent. Urmia was seized by the Oghuz Turks (11th cent.), sacked by the Seljuk Turks (1184), and later occupied a number of times by the Ottoman Turks.The name Urmia or Urmu is thought to have come from Sumerian tongue, the earliest known civilization in the world located in southern Mesopotamia. Ur was a principle Sumerian city. Some believe the name is derived from Syriac. Ur, meaning "cradle," and mia, meaning "water". Hence, Urmia, situated by a lake and surrounded by rivers, would be the cradle of water. Some have claimed connections to other languages. There is, however, no generally accepted etymology.The very heavy migrations into the city from the countryside, refugees from the long Iran-Iraq War, and from smaller towns into the larger city of Urmia, have revolutionized the ethnic composition of the city. Today The 90% percent are now made of Azerbaijanian Turks and but with Kurdish, Assyrian and Armenian minorities.
Sami Yusuf singing about his own country Azerbaijan
Sami Yusuf is a British composer, singer and an accomplished musician. He was born in July 1980 into a musical family of Azerbaıjanıan Turks origin, thus music played an integral part in his life.
Sami learnt to play several instruments at a very young age and gradually began to show a keen interest in singing and composing. He studied music at several institutions and with renowned composers and musicians including composers from the Royal Academy of Music in London, one of the world most prestigious music institutions
Sami has been composing from a very young age and his beautiful voice is supplemented by his extensive knowledge of music theory and harmony. He has also a good understanding of the Middle Eastern modes (or Maqams).
Sami is a devout Muslim who sees songs as a means of promoting the message of love, mercy, peace and tolerance and encouraging the youth to be proud of their religion and identity.
Khojaly... In 1992 the name of this ancient settlement of Azerbaijan spread all over the world and the tragedy happened here remained in the history of mankind as one of the most murderous events.
The memory of the horrible massacre known as Khojaly tragedy has been flying over the planet shaking hearts and saddening minds. The night from 25th to 26th of February in 1992 the Armenian forced groups with participation of the 366th shooting regiment of the notorious soviet army made the Khojaly town ruins and site of fire. Hundreds of peaceful inhabitants including women, old men and children were brutally murdered, young and old alike as well as tortured, crippled and became hostages.
This crime was the, next expression of the purposeful Armenian policy of genocide and expansion against the Azerbaijanian Turks people. It's specifically notable that it wasn't the first events when Khojaly became a target for Armenian bullets.
During the 20th century this ancient settlement of Azerbaijan was collapsed by Armenians thrice. Unfortunately, these infringements were concealed about and didn't receive publicity. Probably namely this intentionally implanted historical swoon made possible reiteration of the events happened in Garabagh in the beginning of the century again in the end of the last century.
Whilst Garabagh, a native land of Azerbaijan is under occupation of implacable enemy, while this blessed area of our Motherland isn't free of aggression and our refugee compatriots aren't back own homes each of us is liable to have effort to the world community the truth regarding the Armenian aggression and its severe results as well as render aid to rehabilitation and certification of justice.
It's our most saint duty in front of the occupied and collapsed cities and towns, destroyed historical and cultural monuments, spirits of our ancestry and their graves ruined by enemy, our martyrs and at last, in front of own conscience.
Eighteen years have passed since the Khojaly tragedy, but the ache of Khojaly as well as tears and blood of the Khojaly inhabitants would never be forgotten.
This memory will remain in the hearts of the present and future generations.
We believe in triumph of justice. Our destroyed towns and villages will arise from ruins and the territorial integrity of the independent Azerbaijan will be restored
